4 - WAY SPEECH CONTEST by Sharon McKniff

4-WAY SPEECH CONTEST

       We enjoyed speeches for the 4-Way Speech Contest from four students from the Oracle Elementary School District in response to questions about truth, fairness, self-interest vs. friendships, and sacrifices made for the good of all concerned.  The students’ teacher, Mrs. Tate, escorted the students to our meeting, and said that it is one of the more enjoyable highlights of her school year.    

 Victoria Florez, who hopes to become a veterinarian someday, stated that “what we say or do reflects who we are” and shared a story about a horseback contest in which points are accumulated over a year-long series of competitions.  She helped a competitor warm-up a nervous horse and developed a friendship with this competitor.  Victoria stated that she feels better for helping her competitor, and feels that “setting an example for everyone” can make us better people. 

    Bo Padilla likes to play football as a running back, and hopes to play for the Ducks at University of Oregon.  He feels that “it is better to tell the truth and face the consequences” rather than say nothing at all.  Although Bo was a little nervous during his speech, he warmed up by sharing a story about a time when he and some friends were coloring in a book at school.  Bo got a little “too excited” and actually colored on his desk.  He had the courage to tell the teacher about it, and feels better about himself for doing so.  He stated:  “when we treat people fairly, it tells people how our heart thinks.”   

 Caitlin Baird likes to ride horses, and wants to study medicine at University of Arizona.  She loves to play volleyball with her friends, and she makes sure that everyone gets a turn at serving the ball.  “It’s a good feeling to make someone else happy,” she said.  She believes that sometimes one has to give up something that one may want to do in order to help others.  She feels that is the right thing to do, and one time gave up going to a party in order to spend time with her grandmother.

   Tassa Kissick, is interested in bugs of any kind, and hopes to continue her education at Stanford someday to become an entomologist, a herpetologist or even a marine biologist.  She spoke crisply and shared a story about befriending a lonely classmate.  She stated that “just because you’re not popular doesn’t mean that you don’t need friendships.”  Once, she gave up the last can of coke in the box, giving it to her brother instead, stating that this was a hard thing to do because “if you know my brother, you will understand how irritating he can be.”  She feels that sacrificing for the happiness of another can make one feel very good. 

  All of the students were excellent speakers, and our Judges awarded Tassa Kissick as the winner of the contest this year.  Congratulations to all of the speakers!  And we look forward to seeing Mrs. Tate again next year.